Tanihara breaks short-lived course record at Scottish Open

Japan’s Hideto Tanihara shot a 61 in the second round of the Scottish Open at Gullane to break a course record that had been set just hours earlier.

The 39-year-old, who had seven birdies and an eagle for a nine-under round, was in line for the European Tour’s first 59 but parred 16, 17 and 18.

It was the second course record of the day, after 23-year-old Scot Connor Syme shot an eight-birdie 62.

Englishman Robert Rock has a two-shot lead after a 63 left him 13 under.

The world number 244 completed the first bogey-free opening 36 holes of his European Tour career and has compatriot Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden’s Jens Dantorp as his nearest challengers.

Rock, 41, won the last of his two European titles at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Championship, when he held off Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to win by one shot.

Tanihara, the world number 137, only had one birdie in a first-round 72 but moved into a group of 11 sharing 15th place – which also includes Syme and world number three Justin Rose – six off the lead.

Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson eagled the second but a round of 69 left him at one under and he missed the cut.